Our Day in Print

From the rising of the sun to its setting...we read words in print all day long. After finding all the books that were due, brushing teeth and scurrying into winter clothes (not enough, as it turns out, given a surprisingly cold day after a week of 30), we headed out to catch a bus to the library. Here's a picture of a day of words in print:

If Trees Could Talk, R. Bruce Allison (stories and history of famous trees in Wisconsin). While making breakfast I read about the Civil War tree in Delevan under which soldiers registered for the army.

My First Things That Go, a DK board book that has resurfaced after a year of being stuffed in a box of baby toys. Its binding is secured with packing tape and it is featured in about 90% of pictures of Dietrich when he was 2. It returned today because of a space shuttle on the last page.

Jim Gill, Sneezing All Over the Place. Ok, this isn't in print. But Elliott made a paper CD with case this morning inspired by his dad's re-titling of a Jim Gill CD to include "sneeze" in every song. Elliott cackles when hearing the track names.

Harry and the Lady Next Door, Gene Zion. "Elliott, we just had that one, can you pick another one?" Then a guilty reminder of how repetition is loved above all made me regret saying it. And it is pretty entertaining how Harry thinks up new ways to discourage the lady from singing (loudly).

Ruby's Perfect Day, Susan Hill. Elliott picked it out despite the barcode sticker being placed exactly over the "Level 1" he adores seeing on books. The Racoon has a propensity for optimism that would do Norman Vincent Peal proud.

Moon Landing, Carole Stott. From the DK discovery series. I learned more about space travel to the moon today than in my previous 35 years.

The Moon Book, Gail Gibbons. She is a hero in our house, and her interests seem to follow along with Dietrich's -- we had her Penguins book for several 3-week cycles.

Cane River, Lalita Tademy. I've had this book on my list since seminary. I saw it on a friend's recommend list yesterday and found it on the display shelf (after shuttling the boys through the fiction aisles and not finding it).

Snow, Elliott Mattison. Again, not in print. Inspired by an easy reader by the same title, this book covers all the Wisconsin basics of snow play from appropriate gear to hot chocolate (and water -- something I had not considered).

Moon Landing, again. This was the theme all afternoon for Dietrich. We made a lunar module by the end of the day. I knew there would be a good use for the roll of silver duct tape we bought for Halloween!

Follow the Line through the House, Laura Ljungkvist. Elliott loves rooms and house objects though he cares little for actually following the black line through the illustrations. Its simple rooms and trendy colors would sell well at Ikea.

George and Martha, The Scary Movie, James Marshall. We were introduced to this hippo set from our friends in North Carolina. This one is a must read for anyone about to embark on a first date.

Thomas Goes Fishing, A.W. Auden. Another odd story about the little blue tank. This time? He has a fish pond in his boiler tank.

Tomorrow will be another day in print, though one I won't laundry list here. And once the skiers and skaters and sledders head home from Canada, I'll reclaim some print time for myself.